RASNZ Solar Viewers, FAQ

What is the Solar Viewer?

The Solar Viewer provides an easy, quick and, most importantly, safe way to look at the Sun.

The viewer incorporates a black polymer material that filters out the Sun's harmful rays whilst allowing 0.001% of the visible light to pass through to create a sharp orange coloured image of the Sun.

Why have the Solar Viewers become available?

The Royal Astronomical Society of NZ decided to make these Solar Viewers available in anticipation of a high level of interest in the forthcoming transit of Venus.

This event will take place on 6 June 2012 and the entire transit will be visible from New Zealand, weather permitting.

Since the next transit will not occur until 2117 the Society wanted to provide as many people as possible with access to a safe, convenient and affordable method of viewing this rare event.

Can the Solar Viewer be used for other events?

Most certainly - keep your viewer and use it to observe the eclipse of the Sun that will take place on 14 November 2012.

Also, it is expected that sunspot activity will increase during the next few years and from time to time sunspots will appear on the surface of the Sun that are sufficiently large to be seen using the Solar Viewer.

So it is recommended that the viewer be retained after the transit so that it can be used to observe other solar-related phenomena.

How do I use the Solar Viewer?

The Solar Viewer is safe only for direct viewing of the Sun. Do not use the viewer with binoculars, telescopes, cameras or any other optical device.

Always supervise children when they are using the viewer, it is not a toy.

Do not use the Solar Viewer if the filter material has been scratched, damaged in any way or become separated from the cardboard frame.

Whilst looking away from the Sun, hold the Solar Viewer in front of your eyes. Now turn your head towards the Sun, keeping the viewer in front of your eyes, to safely see the Sun's orange image through the filter. Always turn away from the Sun before taking the Solar Viewer away from in front of your eyes.

How can I be sure that the Solar Viewer is safe?

The quality of the filter used in the Solar Viewer has been tested by one of the world's leading authorities on safe solar viewing devices at the University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. The tests showed that the filter provides the required level of eye protection for observing the Sun safely. A summary of the test results can be found here.

Are these Solar Viewers useful for large groups?

Yes, these Solar Viewers are particularly suitable for observing sessions at schools or open public spaces that involve groups of people.

If each participant has their own viewer there will be no need to queue to see the event through specialised equipment which is not always readily available.

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Photo: Karen Gregory

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